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Was O'Carolan's Dream the source for Stairway to Heaven?
Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 9:48 pm
by OBrien
Have you heard the theory that Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" was based on the slow air "O'Carolan's Dream"?
Here's a link to the tune so you can check it out:
http://www.cpmusic.com/tradgif/ocarodr.gif
It's in Am, but transcribes nicely to Em for D whistle. (Drop every note three steps.)
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 5:43 am
by ShadowBG625
Hm...that very well could be. I read that there are a number of past references in that song.
The lyrics, written by Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant next to an evening log fire, were inspired by his search for spiritual perfection. A seminal influence was the book Magic Arts in Celtic Britain by Lewis Spence, which Plant had recently read; it contained references to May Queens, pipers, and "bustling hedgerows." The line, "In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees," could be a reference to William Wordsworth's poem Tintern Abbey: "...and wreaths of smoke / Sent up, in silence, from among the trees!"
Re: Was O'Carolan's Dream the source for Stairway to Heaven?
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 10:41 am
by billw
O'Brien wrote:Have you heard the theory that Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" was based on the slow air "O'Carolan's Dream"?
Here's a link to the tune so you can check it out:
http://www.cpmusic.com/tradgif/ocarodr.gif
It's in Am, but transcribes nicely to Em for D whistle. (Drop every note three steps.)
Not to my ear. In fact, that air comes across as a crib from Gregorian chant. Take it to adagio and you'll easily hear what I mean.
Cheers,
Bill
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 10:53 am
by anniemcu
Doesn't seem far fetched to me. I hear clear echoes of it.
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 11:03 am
by billw
anniemcu wrote:Doesn't seem far fetched to me. I hear clear echoes of it.
Um... Annie ... you play soprano G whistles. I think the echoes are pretty normal for you.
LOL
Bill
Re: Was O'Carolan's Dream the source for Stairway to Heaven?
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 11:11 am
by walrii
O'Brien wrote:It's in Am, but transcribes nicely to Em for D whistle. (Drop every note three steps.)
How do you play the D-sharp accidentals in the Em version? I'm using a standard high-D whistle.
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 12:14 pm
by CRC
Hmmm. What's "Stairway to Heaven"?
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 12:54 pm
by monkey
I hear it quite clearly !
"Stairway to Heaven" was a big hit for the group Led Zeppelin.
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 1:49 pm
by Screeeech!!!
I'm sure it was Rolf Harris.
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 2:45 pm
by CRC
What's Led Zeppelin?
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 4:50 pm
by OBrien
Wal, you have to half hole the D#.
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 5:23 pm
by walrii
OB - thanks, that works! I've never tired half-holing on the whistle and found it surprisingly easy.
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 5:51 pm
by Fingers
CRC wrote:What's Led Zeppelin?
CRC! Where ya been?
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 6:06 pm
by CRC
Fingers wrote:CRC wrote:What's Led Zeppelin?
CRC! Where ya been?
In my room playing whistles.
Posted: Sun May 14, 2006 6:23 pm
by anniemcu
billw wrote:anniemcu wrote:Doesn't seem far fetched to me. I hear clear echoes of it.
Um... Annie ... you play soprano G whistles. I think the echoes are pretty normal for you.
LOL
Bill
BTW... I *own* them.. three, to be exact, but I very rarely play them so the recovery is nearly complete.
